10 questions to ask a contractor before hiring

Why these questions matter

The ten questions below are the result of decades of consumer-protection guidance from state contractor boards, the Better Business Bureau, and Consumer Reports. They are not exhaustive but they catch the vast majority of problem contractors before money changes hands.

When to walk away

If a contractor balks at any of the verifications — refuses to produce a license number, won't share insurance carrier details, gets defensive when references are requested — that's the answer. A contractor confident in their work has nothing to hide.

The cost of walking away from a sketchy bid is one afternoon spent re-shopping. The cost of hiring one is months of remediation, lost insurance claims, and possibly legal action. The math is not close.

Step-by-step

1. 1
   Check the license

   Ask for the state contractor license number, then verify it directly with the state contractor licensing board.
2. 2
   Verify insurance

   Ask for proof of general liability insurance (≥ $1M) and workers' comp. Request the insurance carrier's name and call to verify.
3. 3
   Get three written references

   Ask for the names and phone numbers of three customers from the last 12 months on similar-scope work. Call all three.
4. 4
   Ask about subcontractors

   Find out which parts of the work will be subcontracted, who the subs are, and whether they're licensed and insured separately.
5. 5
   Get a detailed written bid

   Verbal estimates don't hold up. The written bid should specify materials, brand names, warranty terms, and a timeline.
6. 6
   Confirm the payment schedule

   Avoid contractors asking for ≥ 30% upfront. The standard is 10–20% deposit, progress payments tied to milestones, 10–15% withheld until final inspection.
7. 7
   Ask about permits

   Confirm who pulls permits and that the contractor is willing to do permitted work. Unpermitted work can complicate insurance claims and home sales.
8. 8
   Get the warranty in writing

   Materials warranty is from the manufacturer; workmanship warranty is from the contractor. Both should be written, signed, and specify what triggers a callback.
9. 9
   Verify their physical address

   A real local contractor has a real local address. Check it on a map. Drive by if the job is significant.
10. 10
    Read at least three 1-star reviews

    Look for patterns — same complaints from multiple customers reveal systemic issues. Single bad reviews are signal noise.